The land of the rising sun is also home to a thriving surf culture, with the waves not limited to the coast. Tokyo, the bustling metropolis, has embraced the sport, offering urban surfers a unique way to get their fix.
Riding the City Wave
While most Tokyo surfers head to the coast at Chiba or Shonan or hit the Surf Stadium wave pool in Shizunami, the city itself provides an alternative – citywave Tokyo. This standing wave facility, attracting both salarymen and hipsters, offers a convenient escape into the world of surfing.
citywave Tokyo is undergoing a transformation, relocating from Oimachi to Sakaimachi, with plans to reopen in spring 2023. We chatted with Operations Manager Yoshimi Ayabe to learn more about this popular urban surf spot.
Tokyo’s Surfing Boom
Tokyo may not seem like the most obvious place for a thriving surf scene, but the city has a deep-rooted passion for the sport. Japan, with its proximity to Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing, boasts a rich surfing history. Its long coastline offers plenty of waves for surfers to conquer.
Local surfers have made their mark on the international stage, with several competing in the World Surf League. Tokyo’s youthful population, with its penchant for emerging sports, has fueled the surge in interest.
The city’s international appeal plays a role too, with many foreign students bringing Western trends and passions to the scene. However, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where surfing was included as a medal sport for the first time, is arguably the biggest driving force behind the recent surge in popularity.
Citywave Tokyo: A Surfing Sanctuary
The opening of citywave Tokyo was met with huge excitement from Tokyo’s surfing community. The facility’s unique technology and the accessibility it offered attracted a diverse range of surfers.
Yoshimi Ayabe reveals that the facility received numerous inquiries about its operation even before opening.
citywave Tokyo has become a hub for surfers, fostering a vibrant community and attracting everyone from casual riders to professionals.
A Wave for Every Surfer
The typical citywave Tokyo surfer is typically between 20 and 30 years old, embraces a sporty lifestyle, and has a passion for surfing. The facility has become a popular hangout for groups of friends, who gather after work for a surf session, families seeking a unique weekend activity, and even professional surfers looking for a controlled environment to practice.
But citywave Tokyo isn’t just for serious surfers. The facility caters to a diverse range of individuals, from those seeking a relaxing hangout with friends to those looking for an intense workout.
One thing that all citywave Tokyo visitors share is the joy they experience, leaving the facility with a smile.
A Wave of Activity
Weekends are the busiest times for citywave Tokyo, as people have more time for leisure activities. Students and young adults make the most of their free time, and sunny days draw in crowds of first-time surfers and spectators.
But even on weekdays and during less than ideal weather, the facility remains busy, with regular surfers taking advantage of the quieter conditions to practice.
citywave Tokyo offers a consistent experience, attracting surfers year-round.
A Wave of Change
The move to a new location was prompted by the original site’s redevelopment plans.
While the Sporu Oimachi Sports Center provided a temporary home for citywave Tokyo for four years, the facility’s success made it clear that a permanent location was needed.
The new location, carefully selected based on past experiences, will offer an even better environment for surfers to enjoy the wave.
The Future of Surfing in Tokyo
Yoshimi Ayabe shares her vision for the future of citywave Tokyo and the expansion of surfing in the city.
While the immediate focus is on the relocation and reopening of the current facility, citywave Tokyo has ambitious plans to introduce more waves to the city and beyond.
citywave Tokyo is committed to working with the German engineering company, citywave, to bring this vision to life.
With several projects in the planning stages, Tokyo’s surfing scene is poised to reach new heights.
